1.2 Frost before Winter

Skylar woke to the harsh sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making it difficult to open her eyes. She squinted, adjusting to the brightness, and took in the breathtaking view. The Eiffel Tower stood tall in the distance, birds soaring across the morning sky, their chirping soft against the quiet air.

She remembered when Ethan told her he wanted their wedding to be here. For a fleeting moment, she had almost forgotten what had happened. But then, the memories surged back like a tidal wave—her so-called husband, the man she had trusted, betraying her with her own flesh and blood.

The spark in Skylar's eyes vanished, leaving only emptiness. She remembered the day she first met Ethan—a sunny December afternoon. She had been twenty when her parents introduced them. She hadn't loved him at first, but they convinced her it was the perfect match for an omega like her. And so, she accepted, not realizing she was sealing her fate.

The door creaked open, and Skylar turned her head. Standing there were the people who had caused her the most pain—Ethan, her father, her mother, and Phoebe.

"You're awake," Miss Parker said. But Skylar saw no trace of worry in her eyes. Was this really her mother?

"Let's not waste any time," Mr. Parker said, pulling Phoebe forward by the hand.

"Am I a waste of time, Dad?" Skylar asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Even blinking felt like a struggle now.

"The wedding was called off. You shouldn't worry about it anymore," her father replied, his tone dismissive, as if she were the one who had done something wrong.

As if she were the one who had cheated.

As if she were the one who had betrayed her own blood.

As if she were the one who had stolen the person who had meant everything to someone else.

Why was the world so unfair?

She needed support, love, even just a sliver of understanding. But all she saw were cold eyes watching her, as if none of this mattered.

Or maybe… they already knew.

The realization hit her like a gut punch. They had known.

They had known about the affair and let her chatter excitedly about her future. They had smiled as she gushed over her wedding dress. They had watched as she dreamed of a life with a man who had already belonged to someone else.

And all the while, she had been a fool.

The betrayal cut deeper than a knife. Why? Why hadn't they told her before she had fallen in love?

A single tear slid down her pale cheek. The pain was unbearable, worse than any wound, worse than any bullet to the chest. And yet, Phoebe had the audacity to cry.

"I'm sorry, Skylar... it just happened," Phoebe whispered, her voice trembling with fake sobs.

"It just happened?"

Skylar's eyes darkened, the last flicker of warmth fading.

"We were drunk and clueless. We didn't know what we were doing," Phoebe continued, her head bowed as if she expected forgiveness.

Ethan remained silent, emotionless. There was no begging this time. No guilt. He stared at her with empty eyes, as if she were nothing more than an inconvenience.

Her brother, Mark, leaned against the doorframe, smirking. He watched her, entertained, like a spectator at a tragedy he had seen coming from miles away.

Her family hated her this much.

And after all the pain, she managed to choke out one word:

"Why?"

James Parker sighed, rubbing his temples as if he were the one suffering. "The wedding is called off," he repeated, then looked at her one last time. There was no pity, no guilt. "Phoebe's wedding is next week. Don't try to cause trouble, Skylar. I don't have time for another childish fight."

He turned toward the door, but before he could leave, Skylar's small voice broke the silence.

"Phoebe's what?" Her voice was soft, barely a whisper. How could Phoebe be getting married? After everything?

"Who would marry her after what she did?" Skylar asked, her hands clenching the bedsheets. She looked like an aborded cat in the middle of the ran. Scared, betrayed, and disappointed.

Ethan spoke then, his voice calm, as if this wasn't ripping her apart.

"She's getting married to me."

Silence.

Skylar froze. Her mind shattered.

"What?"

Five words. Five words, and her entire world collapsed.

"Why?" she whimpered, so fragile that even a child would pity her. But the people in this room didn't. Some didn't even blink.

And that was when she knew.

In this moment, she had lost.

The only people she had ever called home.

Her family.

Her lover.

All of them, gone.

Destroyed by the very blood that ran in her veins.

"Phoebe is pregnant," Ethan said, his voice void of emotion.

Skylar felt her breath hitch.

Pregnant?

She searched his face for guilt, for remorse. There was none.

How could this be happening?

Why?

The world faded into black. Not because she was fainting—no.

Everything simply lost its color.

Like a star that had lost its shine.

A rose without its fragrance.

A spring rain that had never touched the earth.

Skylar had lost her light, too.

And her eyes, once filled with warmth, turned as cold as ice.

Did she commit some unforgivable sin in a past life?

That question echoed in her mind.